Lanyon Quoit is a very impressive structure, but it is not a true historical representation. Originally it was taller, of sufficient height for a horseman to sit under. Its capstone had an original circumference of 47 feet, however a piece has since been broken off. This size together with an average thickness of 20 inches made the capstone extremely heavy. Unfortunately its capstone and one of its supporting stones collapsed in 1815. These were re-erected in 1824 but were not put back in their original position.

In the mid eighteenth century, the landowner had a dream which led him to have the quoit excavated. A six foot deep pit was dug and a grave was found of which no recordings survive. The quoit was further disturbed more than once. All these disturbances together with the extreme weight of the capstone was probably the reason why it collapsed after standing for thousands of years, rather than the accepted explanation of a severe storm.

Lanyon Quoit is the highest visited quoit, and easily the most accessible, being only 50 meters from the road. If visiting Lanyon Quoit it is well worthwhile to also investigate the surrounding area. Just by looking at the ordinance survey map one can see there are other prehistoric sites in close proximity to the quoit. There is the remnants of a second quoit close by, West Lanyon Quoit, however this is on private land.

LANYON QUOIT
SW 4298 3369 [OS Maps Explorer 102; Landranger 203]
LOCATION
Lanyon Quoit is located on relatively low-lying
land close to Lanyon Farm, beside the
Penzance-Madron-Morvah road. The site is
owned and maintained by the National Trust.
ACCESS
There is an area beside the road where one or
two cars can park. A stile leads across a
Cornish hedge, and the Quoit is a few yards
further on. There is no disabled access at
present, though discussions are underway to
see if it can be provided in the future.
DESCRIPTION
Lanyon Quoit is perhaps the best known and most
photographed of any of Cornwall's prehistoric monuments -
but it also unfortunately one of the least authentic!
It originally dated from the early Neolithic period (3500-2500
BC) and consisted a large capstone 5.3m (17½ft) long and
2.7m (9ft) wide on 4 upright support stones, similar to Chûn
Quoit on the moors to the west [available as a downloadable
leaflet]. However, in 1815 it collapsed in a storm and some
stones were fractured, so that when it was re-erected in
1824 (at right angles to its original position) the capstone
was placed on only 3 uprights which were shortened and
squared off. It is thus much lower than before, and does not
retain the distinctive rectangular box-like appearance of other
Quoits. It originally stood at the northern end of a burial mound 27m (90ft) long and 12m
(40ft) broad, the outline of which is still visible. At the southern end is a collection of stones
which may originally have formed a small chamber or cist. In the 18th century Dr.Borlase dug
at the site and reported that between the support stoones, he had found a grave containing
'black earth'.
FOLKLORE & LEGEND
Like many other sites, it was previously thought that treasure was buried under the
monument, and digging over the years certainly weakened the foundations and probably contributed
to its collapse.
PURPOSE AND MEANING
Lanyon is one of a number of quoits (approximately 8) remaining in West Penwith. These
sites were probably designed as repositories for the bones of the dead, whose bodies may
have been laid out on the capstones for the carrion birds to remove the flesh (a practice
known as excarnation). Yet it would be a mistake to think of these monuments simply as
'burial chambers'. The bone evidence from other places indicates that the disarticulated
bones of a number of individuals may have been placed inside, and from time to time some
bones were removed and were replaced by others. We may perhaps rather think of these
sites as places where the tribe (or the shamans of the tribe) would go to consult with the spirits
of their dead ancestors in trance journeys and altered states of consciousness

In the care of the National Trust this burial chamber composed of three uprights and a capstone is one of the most famous in Cornwall and one of the easiest to reach. The chamber was once covered by a long barrow approximately 25m long by 12m wide.

Probably the most well known and instantly recognisable prehistoric monument in Cornwall, Lanyon Quoit is however not in its original form. This impressive Neolithic dolmen or chambered tomb is easily accessible being signposted next to the road from Madron and stands a short distance from both Chun Quoit and the Men-an-Tol.
Like many other tombs the mound of stone and rubble that would have surrounded and partially covered the uprights and capstone has been almost entirely removed making its original shape difficult to determine. There may in fact be two or three monuments here, to the south a spread of stones are thought to be remains of burial cists recorded by William Borlase in 1872 but by then the site had already been badly damaged. During a storm in 1815 the stones of Lanyon Quoit collapsed, leading to the tomb being restored in 1824. However, only three of the uprights now remain, as one of the stones was broken during the restoration process.
Legend says that a giants bones were found in the tomb, hence its alternative names of Giants Quoit or Giants Table.

Lanyon Quoit makes a fine, dramatic photograph and features in many of the tourist publications for the West Penwith area of Cornwall. However, though the site and stones are for real, it isn't an authentic image of prehistory. The original collapsed (26) in a storm in 1815, breaking some stones. The capstone was re-erected on three stones where there were probably more supports originally, and the axis of the monument was turned through 90 degrees.

Situated in largely unpopulated and treeless Cornish landscape between Madron and Morvah, Lanyon Quoit, along with other Cornish dolmens, dates back to the Neolithic period (3500-2500BC), predating both the pyramids in Egypt and metal tools.

The original use is somewhat disputed; some believing that it was the burial chamber of a large mound and others contesting that it was never completely covered, but rather used as a mausoleum and the imposing backdrop to ritual ceremonies, especially since it is believed that in its original form the quoit was aligned with cardinal points. Another theory is that bodies were placed on the capstone to be eaten by carrion birds. Nearby lie a number of small stone burial chambers, knows as cists, with a longstone about 100 yards north-west of the quoit and evidence that there were once a number of neighbouring barrows.

Once tall enough to allow a horse and rider to pass underneath, Lanyon Quoit is certainly one of Cornwall’s most recognisable and important megalithic sites. The mammoth capstone, weighing over 13 tonnes and measuring 9 feet by 17 feet, originally sat atop four upright stones until a thunderstorm in 1815 dislodged it. Attributed in part to soil removal from numerous treasure hunting explorations, the fall broke one of the supporting stones, hence the diminished stature achieved when re-erected by local public subscription (incidentally, the equipment used to replace the capstone was that previously used to replace the Logan Rock).

Lanyon Quoit
(Chambered Tomb. Neolithic.) A massive capstone, supported by three uprights covers this impressive tomb. The chamber was originally a rectangular box, with a long low platform at one end. There are the remains of side chambers (cists) at the other end . Believed to be the burial chamber of a long mound, Lanyon Quoit has many unusual features, it is possible that this site may have had a role as a mausoleum or cenotaph.

The location of Lanyon Quoit makes it one of the best-known Cornish quoits. Situated on the road from Madron to Morvah this is an easy site to visit - visible from the road. Lanyon Quiot collapsed during a storm in 1815 - damaging one of the upright stones. The local residents rebuilt the site in 1824 using the remaining three of the original four uprights. The resulting quoit is considerably lower than the original, which "until the 18th century it was possible to sit on horseback beneath it". William Borlase's Antiquities of Cornwall shows that in 1769 it was still possible to ride a horse underneath the capstone. The original structure is believed to have been erected 2500 BCE.

There are a number of other barrows close to Lanyon Quoit, with a longstone located about 90m (100 yards) to the north-west. At the south end of the mound surrounding the quoit, there are the remains of a number of stone burial boxes (cists). These may have been part of a single elongated mound with the quoit, or separate later additions to the site.

Attraction Type: Prehistoric Site
Location: Off a minor road 2 miles NW of Madron
Location map
OS: SW430 337
Opening Details: Open access site, usually accessible at any reasonable time

The quoit consists of one large stone supported upon three standing stones. It is likely the remains of a long barrow, or chambered tomb, and would have been covered with turf. It is difficult to draw conclusions about the purpose of the quoit, or even its original appearance; it was the victim of well-meaning attempts at restoration in the early 19th century.

At that time the capstone was rotated, and the uprights altered to support it. In the process the quoit was lowered considerably. A commentator writing in the late 18th century claimed that at that time a horse and rider could pass comfortably beneath it!

Despite these alterations the quoit is an imposing monument. The capstone alone weighs over 13 tons. The remains of the barrow can be seen, running for 27 feet on a roughly south-north axis. It may originally have been as long as 60 feet in length. A conservative estimate puts the time of the quoit's erection at 2500 BCE.

Another name for the quoit is Giant's Table, or Giant's Tomb. This relates to the local legend that a giant's bones were found in the tomb. The area is rich in standing stones and other prehistoric sites of interest. Men-an-Tol is close by.

Visiting Lanyon Quoit:
Parking is a bit of an issue; the narrow country lane that passes Lanyon Quoit was simply not made for parking. There are a couple of small passing place lay-bys on the north side of the road (heading east), but neither is signposted. There is a small, rather invisible signpost by the hedge that screens the quoit from traffic along the lane, but it is very easy to miss it completely. This is one of those historic sites that may require several trips back and forth - first to figure out exactly where it is, then to find a good layby to pull into. My best estimate at the location along the lane where you can find a layby to park is Grid reference SW429336. Good luck!

I would be remiss not mention footwear. The quoit is in a farm field. Lest that not be graphic enough to sink in, let me put it another way; lots of animals use the field, and leave evidence of their passing behind. Wear good footwear and watch your step; you have been warned!

Not only do cattle use the field for grazing; if the weather is hot they find the quoit an ideal shelter from the sun, so you may find a small herd of cows seeking shade under the stones, and from my experience, they aren't really keen to move off. They aren't dangerous, but its a good idea to keep dogs on a lead, or better yet, leave them in the car.

Lanyon Quoit is probably one of the best-known of Cornwall's ancient monuments, dating from the Neolithic period (3500-2500BC). The huge capstone originally stood atop four upright stone columns, but it crashed to the ground, smashing some of the stone supports during a storm in 1815.

The quoit was subsequently re-erected, at right-angles to its original position, on top of what remained of the uprights. Originally tall enough for a horse and rider to pass beneath, it now stands a little over a metre tall. If you feel at ease beneath several tons of stone you can sit comfortably underneath Lanyon Quoit.

It is believed that Lanyon and other quoits in the area were used as ritual funeral sites. It's possible that bodies were laid on top of the capstone to be eaten by carrion birds. Similar sites show evidence of bones from several individuals, and it's thought that bones were moved to sites such as Lanyon and used in rituals, perhaps involving attempts to communicate with ancestors and the spirit world.

Lanyon Quoit is situated in a field by the side of the Morvah to Madron road. It's easy to miss, there's a layby with space for a couple of cars and a small National Trust sign on the hedge. It's just a few hundred metres south of Men-an-tol, which is also worth a visit

Lanyon Quoit is the best-known Cornish quoit, as it stands right beside the road leading from Madron to Morvah. This dolmen collapsed during a storm in 1815 and was re-erected nine years later, with money raised by subscription among the local inhabitants. The reconstruction was not accurate because one of the uprights broke during the collapse and only three were reused. As a result, the quoit is now not so high as it was in the past. In fact, until the 18th century it was possible to sit on horseback beneath it. The capstone is 2.7 x 5.25m (9ft x 17.5ft) wheighing 13.5 tons; the chamber height is about 2m (7ft).
Believed to be the burial chamber of a long mound, Lanyon Quoit is unusual in many ways and may have been more of a mausoleum or cenotaph than a grave. Recent theories suggest that these megalithic monuments were never completely covered by mounds but that their granite capstone and front portal stones were left uncovered to form a dramatic background to the ceremonies performed there.
A number of other barrows once stood close by Lanyon Quoit in addition to a longstone about 90m (100 yards) to the north-west. At the southern end of the mound surrounding the quoit are the remains of a number of stone burial boxes (cists), but it is unclear whether these formed part of a single elongated mound with the quoit, or whether they were a quite separate later addition to the site.
In the same area are many other megalithic and archaeological sites: Mên-an-Tol, Mên Scryfa, Chûn Castle and Chûn Quoit.

Lanyon Quoit is a dolmen in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, 2 miles southeast of Morvah. It collapsed in a storm in 1815 and was re-erected 9 years later, and as a result the dolmen is now very different from its original appearance.

Lanyon Quoit is located northwest of Penzance on the road between Madron and Morvah. It stands 50 metres to the east of the road.

700 metres to the west lie the remains of another dolmen known as West Lanyon Quoit.

Coordinates: 50.14750°N 5.599167° W

Lanyon Quoit currently has three support stones which stand to a height of 1.5 metres. These bear a capstone which is 5.5 metres long, and which weighs more than 12 tonnes.

In the 18th century the quoit had four supporting stones and the structure was tall enough for a person on horse back to ride under. On 19 October 1815, Lanyon Quoit fell down in a storm. Nine years later enough money was raised by local inhabitants to re-erect the structure, under the guidance of Captain Giddy of the Royal Navy. One of the original stones was considered too badly damaged to put back in place, thus there are only three uprights today and the structure does not stand as high as it once did. The reconstruction also placed the structure at right angles to its original position.

The quoit lies at the north end of a long barrow 26 metres long and 12 metres wide. The barrow, which is covered by grass and bracken, is damaged and its outline is difficult to see. At the south end of the barrow are some more large stones which may be the remains of one or more cists.

In 1769 William Borlase described the megalithic site for the first time in a publication, illustrated with etchings in which the Lanyon Quoit's design and floor plan has a different look from today.[7] Lanyon Quoit collapsed in a storm in 1815 and was re-erected in 1824. An etching from 1857 by R. T. Pentreath shows the megaliths in their presently known arrangement.[8] A similar drawing appears in the 1864 book A Week at the Land's End by John Thomas Blight.[9]

In 1872 William Copeland Borlase, a descendant of the earlier Borlase, conducted further investigations and excavations were carried out.[10] He reproduced the etchings of his ancestor and found them much more valuable than any other contemporary sketch since the monument had been subjected to such considerable change. In 1952 the then owner Edward Bolitho from Tregwainton donated the plot of land with the monument to the National Trust.